Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Cottontails in the Canyon

When you find a little rabbit in the Sonoran Desert, it's probably the Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii aka Audubon's Cottontail. They are common at Sabino Canyon and can been seen during early morning hours or at twilight.

They prefer dense shrubby areas that have lots of hiding places. That's probably why I don't see them in my neighborhood, where most of the yards are sparsely landscaped with gravel and a just a few plants.

This young cottontail is posing like a statue. Does it think I can't see it because it's face is partially hidden behind the bush?

It decides to make a zigzag run and...

then it freezes behind a different shrub. But that shadow is a dead give away.

Finally, it hops away to find a better hiding place. Desert cottontails are an important food source for many animals including birds of prey, snakes and coyotes. Unfortunately, most cottontails don't make it past their first year. Bonus image: Here's a picture of my son running at Sabino Canyon. A cottontail happened to be crossing the road as the photo was snapped.

Great shots! LOVE the one with the shadow! ;) I just love the bunnies. Even the one I caught eating my rose bush to death. Diane, have you ever seen the bunnies fight? It's just what you'd imagine: leaping into the air at each other, little paws batting at each other. Then they run away from each other. It took me a while to realize what was going on.

Cute pictures of the Bunnies, Diane... We have wild rabbits around here--and they can be a nuisance. Last year, their babies ate our Impatiens... About drove me crazy!!!! But--aren't they cute????Hugs,Betsy

Fantastic! I saw a beautiful rabbit at the Grand Canyone a couple of years back. I wonder if it was the same kind? He sure was cute and so is this one. Great series of photographs. Nice capture in the last shot with your son and the rabbit running across the road and all those cacti, wow! Loved learning about this adorable bunny. Thank you.